Ahh… you are whining again because it is only second week and you feel like end of 2012. Things are already demanding too much of your time. Have you lost your mind? Find time to unwind! Find your “me time” or “with your special partner”!

Be happy and go outside your box! Complete your bucket list for 2012 by being:

1. a Visionary. Where do you want to go this year? On your mind, make a mental picture of yourself as a traveller in that place. Hang on to that picture. Do you feel happy? If not, assess once again. If yes you feel happy, proceed to #2.

2. Passionate about what you have envisioned. Believe in your dream! Be enthusiastic about it.

3. a Travel and financial planner. For once, do some more “fun” planning. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Your lunch break is a perfect travel planning session. Find fun and creative ways to complete these travel plans. Prioritize the areas you would  like to go to and or things you would like to do. Make a modular basis. Your bucket list may not be expensive. Who knows, they could even be FREE! Remember the key: Be happy! Renowned author, Norman Vincent Peale  quoted “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.”

4. a Go person. Stop procrastinating. You CAN DO it! Make some changes and complete your bucket list! And when you find yourself no longer happy in the middle of completing your bucket list, re-examine them once again and do something about it!

See you in the airport, bus station, anywhere..h

Here are the reasons why Mt Maculot fuels the enthusiasm of outdoor enthusiasts:

1. Elevation. The 600m asl/1968 ft elevation of this mountain is a generally 2-hr hike going up

2. Trail. Don’t get me wrong, the trail starts off from a main concrete road jump-off at Barangay Poblacion and will surely surprise you with the steep ascending forested terrain.

3. Scenic. As you catch up with your pace, you will be taken away by the breathtaking view of Taal Lake, the rock formation at Rockies and the foggy trail near the Philippine Air Force marker.

4. Value for  Money. In less than 500php (10 USD), your outdoor fun may already be completed! Registration is only 10php (.22 USD), tricycle to jump-off from the town market is only 20php (.45 USD) Bus cost going there is only 150php (3 USD), just don’t forget to budget also your coming back to Manila!

5. Good local food. Try the famous local coffee called Kapeng Barako and the various kakain (native delicacies) within the Public Market before and even after hiking. Just choose your preferred carinderias or localized fast-food. You could find relatively clean ones with servers even wearing flashy red aprons!

6. Distance. Cuenca is only approximately between 90km-98km or 3-hr ride from Manila, Taft -Buendia Avenues within Luzon island.

Sample full 12-hr DAY HIKE ITINERARY via Rockies:

6:30    Meet up

07:00 Aboard JAM Bus line from Taft-Buendia Avenues or EDSA bound to Lemery / Cuenca Batangas

10:00 ETA Cuenca Public Market. Then take the tricycle to the jump-off. On your way, register but please do not expect to log out after your hike. The tricycle driver knows where the registration is.

10:20 Start ascend

12:10 ETA Summit, then go to Rockies area for photo opportunities

12:30 Start descend

13:00 Have lunch

13:30 Continue descending

15:30 ETA Jump-off, get on board a bus bound to Manila (either via Cubao or Buendia)

18:30 ETA Manila

What are you waiting for? C’mon let’s hike this year!

*Mt Maculot is also known as the training ground of the Philippine Air Force. h

I know. An absurd one. Indeed crazy to even coin it as “biking sleigh”. Guess why… I became a Santa not in December but for the month of March!

I took a light bike ride from Makati to Binan SLEX via West Service Road just to give gifts to my godchildren. One in Muntinlupa and another one in San Pedro, Laguna. Three months, never too late for me. But not for them, my godchildren!

Cham, my Chamorro bike became my sleigh and we reached 45k together as a team. I didn’t wear the fancy red and white attire. I just wore my usual biking shorts. And ended up with a half-burned thigh!

Alabang fans

I was already being toasted by the noontime  heat.. But the excessive glaring and scourging rays of the sun didn’t bother me when the street vendors of Alabang shouted and chanted the famous jingle “Pia! Pia! Pia Cayetano!”  Funny indeed. I just waived to them. I needed to pay attention to the busy corner of Alabang towards Laguna.

Muntinlupa

Upon reaching the main town, I stopped for some refreshment. I bought dirty ice cream. As I  moved towards the resting area, I saw two kids looking at me. I felt that they too craved for some ice cream. I went back to the sorbetero* and bought two more cones. Then without saying anything to the two kids, I just gestured to give them the ice cream. Ashamed yet with a smile, they looked up to me and I seconded the gesture. Then, they said “Salamat po!, “Thank you!”.. They motivated me to continue.

San Pedro

Alas! I have handed over my gift. As I have continued my mission for the day, I reached the bridge of San Vicente Road and struggled! There was a jam and as expected all jeepney** passengers were looking at me! Their scrutinizing look did not stop me and I was able to give the second gift.

It was a cruise as soon as I have seen the very environment-friendly signage in town. I took a snap.

Binan side trip

Of course, a side trip completes an adventure. I went to Almond’s house. That was the time I met, Bianchi, the old bike of Almond’s brother. It was a good feeling since Bianchi was able to go out for a ride. She and Cham peddled right through the tunnel of Binan just beside South Luzon Expressway. What a ride!

I felt that Cham became a Santa too as well for Bianchi. Looking forward to my next biking sleigh weekend! h

*ice cream vendor; **public transportation in the country inspired by the US military during World War II

If you are into the “LOVE” bus ride of a lifetime, go to GUAM!

No kidding. Figuratively and literally, this is the only place I have seen so far that love exudes in the air! Beach weddings are so popular on Guam. Every where and any time you go on Tumon area, you will see couple taking photos and a tram that hitches all the families together to the wedding or reception areas. Be it in the morning, noontime or night time!

Pay attention because this is the tricky part. They are not locals! These are couples mostly coming from Japan, and to some extent from Taiwan and Korea.  This is some kindda “touristy” thing. So if you are in love, falling in love or about to fall in love, why not consider finding one and or tying the knot on Guam island?

It is a matter of choice – to be in love on Guam island, to get married, whatever you think of it. I just love seeing the bus! h

If you are, then THANK YOU!

Because I am learning from you. You are all teaching me how to become more a good listener, be more emphatic to other people, and in the process, kind of grasp the culture of the locals.

After checking out Sunway Hotel, I saw the cab driver on queue. He was a 5’7 ft tall Indian descent Malaysian guy wearing a white long sleeves polo and jeans. While in traffic jam, out of the blue, this young driver told me about his life.

He said that he is the only one amongst his siblings that has never been married. He gained his engineering education from Japan as a scholar of a Norwegian company where is currently connected. As his career progresses, he was able to purchase his family a 5-room place to house his parents and some of his siblings’ family. But to make things end, he drives a cab during weekends.  He does not get bothered by what other people are telling him. He was very indignant of telling he hates people who look up on him when he drives an imported car every weekday. And looks down on him when he drives a red Proton car during weekends. Bottomline of his story, he could not find his “soulmate” ’cause all of his dates could not accept the fact that he has a strong family ties. That he still provide his family financial support. As I leave the cab, I reassured him that he will surely find the one that could “complement” his values and culture.

That incident I just shared with you wasn’t just the first time. I get this a LOT!

But I guess the best learning here is realizing that I could be therapist in the process! Plan C  in my career..h

Guam, USA

The best way to really know the place is to walk around. Don’t ride any vehicle. Just walk so you know what’s happening around the area.

Having that thought on my mind, I ended up walking after my 6-hr Sunday meeting with boss. We started after lunch and I ended up eating a lot during dinner just to boost my energy. Afterwards, I decided to take a walk to stretch my muscle and adjust my metabolism. I didn’t notice that it was almost 5km.

In the middle of my light evening exercise,  a red sports utility vehicle stopped. I overheard a woman saying “Excuse me! Excuse me! Are you okay? My son and I have been seeing you walking. Do you need a ride?”. I was stunned for a sec. I smilingly replied,  “I’m okay, thank you. I ate a lot and needed to burn the calories.”

That was the time I started liking the people on Guam island. h

1. BIRD WATCHING and see the famous Calayan Rail – found only in 2004 on Calayan island up north the country and make sure you have x number of days to spare so you could go to the forest and have a glimpse. Otherwise, you will ask yourself to choose – the bird or the boat to the main island? Ah! tough one!

2. HUMPBACK WHALE encounter – Camiguin island, Babuyan group of islands. They like to swim around the areas before sundown. While killing time, you could go to the literally “hotspot” area for a stone massage in Magas-Asok

3. CULTURE-WATCHING the religious way – after travelling on rough sea aboard falua boat, hear mass wee hours in the morning in Itbayat. Make sure you are in the right hour since mass service for male is different with the female! Might as well donate some books to the locals while you wait for your turn.

4. SURFING in Aurora province – whether you like it or not, local law enforcement may stop newbees any time in Sabang due to the high tide of the Pacific Ocean. The alternative for you then is to get a BIG HUG from Baler’s 600-year old Banyan tree standing tall at 50 meters in height. Baler is the town proper. But if you are not like me and you are the so-called “highly skilled” individual, Charlie’s Point is your target!

5. If you are still in a SURFING mode, try BARAS in Catanduanes – or else hike up to Mt. Lantad for the cool coastline view along the ridge

6. For some MILITARY adventure, swing by Camp  Abubakar  in Maguindanao and learn the peace efforts done back in 2000. Mind you, no bunkbeds for you here! You could either stay in Lake Sebu for a relaxing meal after a hostile experience!

7. BEACHINEERING in Jolo – this term is actually a concoction of swimming and bumming then leaving the island after max 4 hours! The exciting part here is taking photos of the prestine waters of Jolo and the colourful Muslim stilt houses.

8. PHOTO OP on Pink island, Zamboanga when the sun is up! You will see why it is called PINK. The island’s cemetery is a point of interest since the tomb tells a lot of stories. As a courtesy of course, you do not take photos without asking the locals within the area. Before going onto the island, register at the Tourism office to book your “bodyguard”. Oh by the way, get real. You are still not WHITNEY HOUSTON!

9. LANZONES craving in Isabela, Zamboanga. Yes, the best in the country! This may sound subjective, but how would you know if you will not go there? While munching, you could enjoy watching the rubber treeline in the area. Awesome! Make sure you have the tricycle driver to tour you around and listen to the locals and or men in uniform for instructions up to what point you could only bum around.

10. SNORKELLING with the 3ft long TURTLES on Apo Island – then enjoy the breeze while you lounge in your veranda hotel. If you still have some adrenalin rush, scramble to the the stone structures in front of the hotel

11. NEMO hunting on Caramoan group of islands – stare in one of them and for sure you will end up stuck in a current of whirlpool. Mesmerize yourself and end up staying in one of the islands with no electricity. This is already a clue for you to always bring a flash light with you.

12. RIDE a 6×6 to the foot of Mt Parker – General Santos City. Make sure you bring some school supplies for kids and medicine for the locals. Kids here walk x number of km just to get education. Hook up with the local mountaineering group for better logistics so you could also experience Mt Matutum as well so you could have 2 peaks in 2 days!

NOTE:This is ONLY for adventurers who  could backpack lots of fun, open mind, courage and prayers! If you qualify, make sure you have left back home a copy of the signed insurance policies for you will surely experience the most inconvenient fun adventure of your life! h

I have been on travel this year and heard a lot of relationship stories from people I only met in the airport, on the plane, etc. But what caught my attention even during my feverish nights these past few days was how busy people found the time to personalize their gifts this Christmas. I found the gesture surprisingly beyond the material context of it. As my Godfather wrote on his published book* “..give because you want to, not because you have to.”  So, if you have a moment to spare, please join me in this poll adventure. Thanks! h

*Crazy Love

When you only have the night-time to spare on your crazy schedule while in Singapore, try to watch a concert and go clubbing! In other words, go C2!

Search sistic.com and see the concerts that you could enjoy. Then google for hot party places in town. Better yet, ask some local experts for a more Royal Treatment!

Concert

I watched “Richard Marx Stories to Tell Solo and Acoustic” gig at Singapore Indoor Stadium. SG has chosen the perfect seat to see a very good vantage point of Richard Marx. However, my Black Berry was not ready for the right snap!

Amongst the playlist, my fave this time was “Hold on to the Night!”. Since it was an acoustic concert, I expected myself sleeping like a baby specially when Richard Marx played “Silent Night”.

Setlist: Endless Summer Nights; Take This Heart ;Keep Coming Back; To Where You Are (written for Josh Groban) ;Until I Find You Again; Hazard ; When You Loved Me; Hold Onto the Night; Now and Forever; Save Me; Angelia; Silent Night; Should have Known Better; This I promise you (written for N’Sync); Best of Me (written – sung by ONJ and David Foster); Encore: Right Here Waiting

Clubbing

I thought 1-Altitude was already washed out when we had the very strong afternoon rain. Patience was indeed the best ingredient. After 4 hours of waiting, I was already enjoying the stunning
360-degree view of the city from the 282 m above sea level rooftop of One Raffles Place while having dinner.

Then off we went to Ku De Ta Bar at Sands SkyPark for another snap of the city.

So hurry and decide what suits you best! h

Aussieboy and I attended a company end of the year party. Three performers approached him and he was mesmerized by their beauties. He ended up on stage with them. Every guy in the area envied him. But nobody knew that the 3 were the same specie as Aussieboy! h